COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 13 February) – An unknown disease has killed several fighting cocks in Barangay Rosary Heights 1 here the past few days.
Among those killed by the disease were five cocks at Mangga Boys game farm. The animals all died inside their cages and showed symptoms like swollen head, blindness and severe flu.
Some of the fighting cocks that died from an unknown disease in Cotabato City. MindaNews photo taken 11 February 2020 by FERDINANDH B. CABRERA
Rex Cabrisante, one of the gamefowl owners, said the chickens had colds and fever, and became weak.
“We noticed that the unknown disease has led to death of fighting cocks starting last week. We attempted to treat with antibiotics and other medicines but it didn’t work,” a caretaker in one game farm said.
Owners burned the dead chickens before burying them, a measure which they hoped would stop the unknown disease from spreading.
But city veterinarian Dr. Robert Malcontento said cases of avian diseases and suspected African swine fever should be reported to his office.
He said laboratory tests are needed to know the diseases that killed the animals.
Meanwhile, the local government has imposed a lockdown to prevent the entry of live pigs and processed meat in the city following the outbreak of African Swine Fever in Davao Occidental and other areas of Mindanao.
In an executive order, City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi directed the City Veterinary Office and other city government agencies, including the police and the military to enforce the lockdown.
Live hogs and processed meat products cannot be transported to the city unless couriers can provide necessary permits, according to Malcontento. (Ferdinandh B. Cabrera/MindaNews)
